HIS article draws mainly upon the data provided in the sheep accounts of some of the leading flock masters of Norfolk in the sixteenth and T seventeenth centuries. Most of the accounts fall into one of three classes. those prepared for individual flocks; those drawn up by a sheep-reeve for a number of flocks; and rough accounts compiled by the flock master himself.:At the end of the shepherd's year, usually at Michaelmas, he prepared a comprehensive account of the year's activities with the help of the sheep-reeve. Following a statement of sheep remaining from the previous year, he recorded the deaths, losses, sales and home consumption throughout the year; hc accounted for lambs born and for their disposal; he gave the number 01 animals shorn and the weight of the wool clip; and he described the build-up of the flock and its composition at the end of the year. The sheep-reeve pre-1 The accounts used arc (Sshepherds' accounts, SRsheep-reeves' accounts, RNrough notes) : Sir Hemy Bea5zgfidd of Oxborough 1553-7 ( S and SR), Bedingfeld MS. Oxborough Hall. 1 a m indebted to Lady Bedingfeld for permission for a photo-printed copy to be made of this account book, and to Mr. A. E. B. Owen of the National Register of Archives for providing the copy. 1531-89 (S), Holkham MS., Tittleshall Books No. 19 and Holkham Deeds 9/255, 10/318, 392,398,399-I a m indebted to the Earl of Leicester for permission to consult these documents. and to his Librarian, Dr W. 0. Hassall, for his assistance.
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